Ron Rifkin was born in 1939 in New York City. He has appeared in some of the most memorable TV shows of the past 30 years, including Kojak, Soap, Hill Street Blues and ER.

Ron Rifkin was born in 1939 in New York City. He has appeared in some of the most memorable TV shows of the past 30 years, including Kojak, Soap, Hill Street Blues and ER.

He's also acted in acclaimed movies Silent Running, JFK and LA Confidential. Rifkin lives with wife Iva in New York. He is currently working on The Paris Letter which opens on Broadway next spring and can be seen in the new series of Alias on Five from September 6.

How much sleep do you need? "Not more than five hours. Four sometimes is enough."

How do you feel first thing in the morning? "Great. I'm a morning person. I wake up with the sun. When I lived in LA I was a gardener so I would be up and out first thing so I've trained myself to get up early."

What exercise do you take? "I was a marathon runner but then my knees gave out. I was also a dancer. These days I am at the gym every day."

Are you carefeul about what you eat? "Yes I am. I'm an ex fatty."

Are you or have you ever been overweight? "When I was at college I was about 220 lbs. When I graduated from college I started taking ballet class."

Do you take vitamin and mineral pills? "No I don't, but I should."

Do you drink or smoke too much? "No smoking. I do drink but I don't drink whiskey. I only drink wine."

Do you catch a cold most winters? "Almost never. I live a few blocks from the Hudson River which is freezing so it's toughened me up."

What foods can't you bear to eat? "Okra because of the texture and I don't like rice pudding."

Do you think you suffer from stress? "I avoid putting myself in situations that will produce stress."

Have you ever been in hospital? "Just for minor surgery on my knee."

Does your job affect your health? "Yes, in a good way. The more I work the better I feel."

How often do you consult your doctor? "Once a year for a general check-up."

Do you look after your skin? "Not really. My wife tries to get me to moisturise. I should but I don't."

Are you happy with your body? "It changes every day. Sometimes on a scale of one to 10 I'm a four. The most it is is a seven. I'm happy with the way my body heals itself and how it works."

Do you take more care of youself as the years go by? "I don't know if I take more care. I'm aware that my body can't do the things it used to be able to do. So I'm careful about that."